News
Tensions Rise Between Ethiopia and Eritrea as Red Sea Dispute Escalates
Tensions Rise Between Ethiopia and Eritrea as Red Sea Dispute Escalates
Concerns are mounting over the possibility of renewed armed conflict between Horn of Africa neighbours, Ethiopia and Eritrea, following weeks of hostile rhetoric and aggressive statements over access to the Red Sea.
The latest dispute centres on Ethiopia’s longstanding demand for access to the Red Sea, which it lost when Eritrea seceded in 1993.
The landlocked nation has repeatedly described access to the sea as a matter of national survival, prompting sharp rebuttals from Eritrea.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has been vocal about the issue, first declaring in 2023 that regaining access to the sea was existential for his country.
Ethiopia’s army chief, Field Marshal Birhanu Jula, and other senior officials have gone further, claiming ownership of Eritrea’s southern port of Assab and hinting at the possibility of using force to reclaim it.
On 1 September, Abiy warned that Ethiopia would “correct” the historical loss of its Red Sea access.
Ethiopian Ambassador to Kenya, retired Gen Bacha Debele, described Assab as “Ethiopia’s wealth” and asserted that it would be returned “by force” if necessary.
Field Marshal Birhanu Jula echoed similar sentiments, questioning how the interests of two million Eritreans could outweigh the needs of Ethiopia’s 130 million citizens.
Eritrea, for its part, has issued terse warnings. Information Minister Yemane Gebremeskel described Ethiopia’s claims as a “dangerous” and “toxic agenda of irredentism,” while the Eritrean army cautioned that any attempt to cross the “red line” could plunge Ethiopia into an inescapable crisis.
Despite the heated rhetoric, there have been no reports of major troop movements along the border.
Ethiopia has, however, showcased its military preparedness through graduation ceremonies of thousands of cadets and the promotion of senior officers.
The country has also displayed newly acquired weapons, including tanks, artillery, and armoured vehicles. Eritrea, which maintains mandatory national service, has kept a low public profile regarding its military activities.
Media coverage in both countries has reflected their governments’ positions.
Ethiopian state media have amplified claims of an “unjust loss” of Red Sea ports, while Eritrean state media have accused Ethiopia of attempting to revive issues settled decades ago.
Foreign-based Eritrean outlets have also urged citizens to set aside political differences to defend the country.
The roots of the tension date back over a century. Eritrea was colonised by Italy in 1890, later administered by Britain, and eventually federated with Ethiopia.
When Ethiopia fully annexed Eritrea in 1962, a three-decade civil war ensued, culminating in Eritrean independence in 1993.
Border disputes led to war in 1998, which officially ended with a peace agreement in 2000, though hostilities lingered.
A brief period of reconciliation followed in 2018, when Abiy and Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki declared the war over, earning Abiy the Nobel Peace Prize.
News
Court, Congress Pile Pressure on DHS Over Minnesota Operations
Court, Congress Pile Pressure on DHS Over Minnesota Operations
US House Democrats have threatened to begin impeachment proceedings against Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem over her handling of the immigration crackdown in Minnesota, unless President Donald Trump removes her from office.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries warned that Democrats could proceed “the easy way or the hard way,” describing the actions of Noem’s department as “disgusting.”
The crisis follows the fatal shooting of US citizen Alex Pretti by a federal agent, which has triggered backlash in Minneapolis and led to the planned departure of Border Patrol Chief Gregory Borvino and some agents from the city.
Trump has deployed his “border tsar,” Tom Homan, to take charge of on-the-ground operations, while a Minnesota judge has ordered acting ICE director Todd Lyons to appear in court over alleged violations of court orders.
Trump has distanced himself from claims by senior adviser Stephen Miller that Pretti was a “would-be assassin,” saying he did not believe the victim was acting as one.
Video footage shows Pretti holding a phone while filming agents, not a gun, although police say he was a legal firearm owner.
News
UN Raises Alarm Over ‘Spare No-One’ Rhetoric by South Sudan Army Chief
UN Raises Alarm Over ‘Spare No-One’ Rhetoric by South Sudan Army Chief
The United Nations has expressed concern after South Sudan’s Deputy Army Chief, Gen. Johnson Oluny, was heard urging troops to “spare no-one,” including children and the elderly, ahead of military operations in opposition-held areas of Jonglei State.
In a video posted on Facebook, Oluny, addressing members of his Agwelek militia, called for total destruction during the deployment.
The UN Mission in South Sudan condemned the remarks, describing them as “utterly abhorrent,” and warned that inflammatory rhetoric targeting civilians must stop immediately.
South Sudan’s government, however, said the statement did not amount to an official order, insisting it remains committed to protecting civilians.
Minister of Information Ateny Wek Ateny said civilians were being warned only to avoid being caught in crossfire.
The development comes amid escalating fighting in Jonglei, where forces loyal to suspended Vice-President Riek Machar have seized several areas.
The military has ordered civilians, UN personnel and aid workers to evacuate three counties—Nyirol, Uror and Akobo—ahead of an imminent operation.
The UN says more than 180,000 people have been displaced by the renewed violence.
Meanwhile, tensions remain high as opposition forces threaten to advance towards the capital, Juba, a claim dismissed by the army.
South Sudan has been unstable since a 2018 peace deal ended a five-year civil war that killed nearly 400,000 people, but lingering political rivalry and ethnic tensions continue to threaten fragile peace.
Diplomacy
Rwanda sues UK over scrapped migrant deal payments
Rwanda sues UK over scrapped migrant deal payments
The Rwandan government has initiated arbitration proceedings against the United Kingdom, seeking payments it says are owed under the now-abandoned asylum partnership agreement between both countries.
Rwanda has filed the case at the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague, arguing that the UK failed to honour financial commitments contained in the deal signed under the former Conservative government.
The agreement, designed to relocate some asylum seekers from the UK to Rwanda, was scrapped in 2024 by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, with the Home Office saying about £220m in future payments would no longer be made.
UK authorities insist the policy was costly and ineffective, pledging to defend the case to protect taxpayers’ funds.
Rwanda, however, says the arbitration concerns unmet treaty obligations and is seeking a legal determination of both parties’ rights under international law.
The PCA lists the case as pending, with no timetable yet announced for hearings or a ruling.
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